Surgeon Thompson to Gen. Shepley, Point Lookout, MD, 1863

Description

Surgeon James H. Thompson wrote to Brig. Gen. George F. Shepley, military governor of Louisiana, about his promotion to Surgeon of Volunteers.

Thompson, of Orono, was the surgeon for the 12th Maine Regiment for which Shepley was commander when the regiment formed in late 1861.

Thompson was writing from Point Lookout, Maryland, prisoner of war camp, where he was chief medical officer. The camp was reputed as one of the worst POW camps where Confederates were held. Thompson wrote that the camp held "only" 8,000 prisoners -- 1,000 having recently been exchanged for Union soldiers being held prisoner.